rather vs rather than

Both 'rather' and 'rather than' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Rather' is used to indicate preference or choice, while 'rather than' is used to show a comparison or contrast between two things.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 942 views

The word 'rather' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate preference or choice.

"rather "

Use 'rather' when expressing a preference or choice, such as 'I would rather stay home than go out.'

Examples:

I would rather have tea than coffee.
She would rather read a book than watch TV.
He'd rather walk than take the bus.
They would rather eat at home than go to a restaurant.
Would you rather go to the beach or the mountains?

Show examples from the web [+]

It rather reinforces existing mechanisms for cooperation and information exchange.
Your victim succumbed rather quickly and painfully to atropine poisoning.
I rather liked Mr Le Ray.
Because I find life rather boring.
Commissioner Patten rather surprisingly replied that this was not a priority.
It's rather sad about Per really.
Anything over 45 proof burns rather well.
He happens to be rather attractive.
Your plans for the plumbing are rather unique.
Although the trains were rather slow then.
I thought that was rather chivalrous.
His report rather smacks of complacency.
We actually think that possibility is rather remote.
Sticking wires into the brain is obviously rather crude.
The Council text was rather confusing.
Overcoming the handicap through practice, his achievement is rather inconceivable.
2.6 million is a rather specific figure.
That sounds rather modest for a marquis.
The security upstairs is rather rudimentary.
Two bodies were found sporting rather memorable lacerations.

Alternatives:

prefer
choose
opt for

'Rather than' is also correct and is used to show a comparison or contrast between two things.

"rather than"

Use 'rather than' when comparing or contrasting two options, such as 'I prefer tea rather than coffee.'

Examples:

I prefer tea rather than coffee.
She chose to stay in rather than go out.
He opted for the red shirt rather than the blue one.
They decided to walk rather than take the bus.
I would eat at home rather than go to a restaurant.

Show examples from the web [+]

European society was traditionally structured by estate rather than by socioeconomic class.
Goals rather than creeds should unify religionists.
Our beings feel diffused rather than solid.
Until fighting becomes the condition rather than the exception.
You should come With an apology rather than an attitude.
Shot himself rather than surrender to a fascist military coup.
Parasites are killed through contact rather than by systemic exposure.
We exercise trust rather than mistrust.
I would have gladly rather than talk.
The accent is on quality rather than efficiency.
Initially it was used for clothing rather than writing material.
Keeping outdated translations on-line only confuses readers rather than helping them.
Its sectorial division would follow institutional rather than class definitions.
Mowgli's last act is constructive rather than destructive.
Yüan emperors employed foreigners rather than Confucian scholars in top administrative positions.
It had a citizen rather than mercenary army.
An artist rather than a businessman.
They preferred to go bald rather than be tortured.
General Howe elected to depart Boston in peace rather than lay waste to the city.
It's easier to build arches in stone rather than in brick.

Alternatives:

instead of
in place of
as opposed to

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rather vs rather than

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